Is it safe to drink the water in Panama?
Col Davis Stevenson RET
Posted March 13, 2013
Judith Tovar - Easy Travel Panama
Posted May 6, 2013
Nitzia Chifundo - Panama Sol Realty
Posted September 21, 2013
Lourdes Townshend
Posted September 23, 2013
Nelson Vega
Posted November 19, 2013
Jennifer Croston - Join Panama
Drinking water in Panama City is safe, as is the water in most other parts of the country.
It is very important to understand how does the water supply work in Panama: Water in Panama is provided by a governmental institution called Instituto de Acueductos y Alcantaeillados Nacional (IDAAN)
Water in Panama is safe to drink, and tap water is safe throughout most of Panama as well. The only exceptions I can mention, is in Bocas del Toro province on the Caribbean coast,...
Drinking water in Panama City is safe, as is the water in most other parts of the country.
It is very important to understand how does the water supply work in Panama: Water in Panama is provided by a governmental institution called Instituto de Acueductos y Alcantaeillados Nacional (IDAAN)
Water in Panama is safe to drink, and tap water is safe throughout most of Panama as well. The only exceptions I can mention, is in Bocas del Toro province on the Caribbean coast, where bottled water is necessary and also in San Blas. Bottled water is readily available and affordable.
References: According to the Water Law, the Instituto de Acueductos y Alcantaeillados Nacional (IDAAN) is responsible for water and sanitation services in urban areas with more than 1,500 inhabitants, thus preventing decentralization to municipalities. The only exception is the municipality of Boquete (a town in Chiriquí province), which manages its own water supply and sanitation system.
There are approximately 3,300 water supply systems in rural areas, of which 1,800 are managed by Juntas Administrativas de Acueductos Rurales (JAARs) or Rural Water Boards. The remaining are managed by Health Committees.
Posted December 6, 2013
Lori Snow - Condor Tours & Travel, Inc
Posted February 1, 2014
Shai Gold - International-Triage Medical Networks
The answer to the question about the safety of the drinking water in Panama is not a resounding YES. While the quality of the water is SAFER than in many other LATAM countries, the water in Panama is heavily chlorinated. In some areas it has a discernable mineral content and in other areas the water color reflects the age of the water pipes.... Another problem is that when water supply is halted, or when pressure is low, there are no assurances that the quality has ben...
The answer to the question about the safety of the drinking water in Panama is not a resounding YES. While the quality of the water is SAFER than in many other LATAM countries, the water in Panama is heavily chlorinated. In some areas it has a discernable mineral content and in other areas the water color reflects the age of the water pipes.... Another problem is that when water supply is halted, or when pressure is low, there are no assurances that the quality has ben maintained.
The main challenge faced by people who really care about what they ingest is that there is a lack of transparency about the natural quality/mineral content and additives what actually goes in to the water.
The key concern of the authorities is POTABLE WATER and ACTUAL DISTRIBUTION. When the considerations are this rudimentary, it is HIGHLY ADVISE ABLE to use home filters for the main line, or in kitchen and shower. PUR makes inexpensive faucet and shower filters with a snap on mechanism that is easy to install. It is available in Home Depot in the USA but not in Panama. If you buy it in the USA, be sure to purchase several replacement filters.
On a positive note, many people claim that they drink tap water and it is "just fine".
I hope that the answer helps.
Posted April 29, 2014
Ricki-Lee Joyce - Panama Travel Unlimited
Posted June 28, 2014
Mark Hurt
Posted July 5, 2014
Terry Bradford
Yes, it is safe to drink the water in Panama. We live in Panama City and the water here comes from the Gatun Lake and the Chagres River. We drink water right out of the tap just like anyone else. Whenever we go back to the States and drink water there, the first thing that comes to my mind is "chemicals." The water there tastes like chemicals, especially water in the state of California. All I can think of is petroleum when I drink water there, whereas here in Panama,...
Yes, it is safe to drink the water in Panama. We live in Panama City and the water here comes from the Gatun Lake and the Chagres River. We drink water right out of the tap just like anyone else. Whenever we go back to the States and drink water there, the first thing that comes to my mind is "chemicals." The water there tastes like chemicals, especially water in the state of California. All I can think of is petroleum when I drink water there, whereas here in Panama, the water from the tap tastes like it came from the Niagara Falls.
(The picture is of Panamanians in the "interior" drinking fresh, safe water.)
Posted October 9, 2014
Antonio Cheng - Romero Realty
Posted November 3, 2014
Esteban Guerra
Posted November 6, 2014
Bill Hamilton - Bill Hamilton
Posted January 31, 2015
Ron Hunter - Finca Cazador
I’ve spent a lot of time in Mexico where I wouldn’t drink most of the water. In Panama, I’d drink water anywhere with no exceptions. When I go to Panama City or to David, I can just drink the water out of the tap. I’ve spent a lot of time in Mexico where I wouldn’t drink most of the water. In Panama, I’d drink water anywhere with no exceptions. When I go to Panama City or to David, I can just drink the water out of the tap. Posted February 24, 2017
Kathya de Chong - Alto Boquete Condominios
Yes it is safe to drink the water in Panama, right out of the tap. Yes it is safe to drink the water in Panama, right out of the tap. Posted May 13, 2017
Kyle Pearce
Posted December 4, 2019